OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2013. Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO) and interacting organisations held an integrated emergency exercise in the Karachaganak Field.

An integrated emergency exercise was carried out in the Karachaganak Field involving the West Kazakhstan Oblast (WKO) Emergency Situations Department, WKO Internal Affairs Department, the KPO Incident Management Team and Field Emergency Response department. 

According to the organisers of the event, the main goals of the joint emergency exercise were to practise joint actions to control and manage an emergency situation, review readiness/preparedness and the interface between emergency response and rescue units as part of KPO Emergency Response and Rescue Service, and test the effectiveness of emergency communications and notification system. Most importantly, however, it was an opportunity to practice skills gained from many years of cooperation.

The event was also attended by heads of and representatives of Emergency Situations Departments of Aktyubinsk, Atyrau and South Kazakhstan regions, Astana, representatives of the Emergency Situations Service of Russia and mass media.

The simulated scenarios of the emergency exercise included the situation of a terrorist nature, demonstration of KPO Fire and Rescue Services assets and resources on KPO Fire Station, KPO readiness for actions in case of oil spills on rivers and on land, fires in vehicles and facilities, rescue from confined space, gas and oil blowout on Well site and the evacuation of a conventional village community under threat of potential gas contamination.  Prior to the event, KPO jointly with the Burlin Akimat has developed an Evacuation Action Plan for the conventional village in order to protect the population in case of an emergency situation.

Thus, in the course of the exercise practical response skills were perfected.  Management, control and emergency response teams met the objectives of the exercise, as the emergency situations presented were localized and mitigated, the rescue activities successfully completed, and the impacts of the hazards reduced.

Upon the completion of the joint exercise, Luca Vignati, KPO Operations Director and Deputy General Director, said: “Integrated emergency exercise 2013 showed that KPO has all the experience, resources and capabilities for the safe operation at the Karachaganak field. KPO units and specialized interacting organizations can provide reliable preparedness and protection of the personnel, communities and environment”.

Kadr Bissembayev, Head of WKO Emergency Situations Department, noted: “KPO integrated emergency exercise were held in a professional manner, demonstrating fully efficient operational readiness for the elimination of various emergencies at Karachaganak".

The VIP guests and observers expressed their satisfaction with KPO achievements during the emergency response exercise at the Karachaganak Field, and wished all KPO employees continued success in their activities.